ID :
44862
Mon, 02/09/2009 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44862
The shortlink copeid
President says N. Korean threat not worrisome
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak Monday said North Korea's recent threats do not pose any immediate danger and that his government is always ready to enter dialogue with the communist nation to resolve outstanding issues.
"I am very aware there are people who are concerned about the recent series of
North Korean threats. But my dear people, you do not need to worry too much," the
president said in his bi-weekly radio address.
"The government is ready to sit down with North Korea at any time and resolve
every issue," he added.
North Korea last month said it will no longer honor past accords reached between
the two Koreas, including a 1991 agreement in which Pyongyang recognized the
U.N.-drawn Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea. The de facto border on
the west coast, however, has since been the site of two deadly naval clashes in
1999 and 2002.
Appearing in a nationally televised program late last month, the South Korean
president said his administration would soon hold dialogue with North Korea,
which has refused to talk to the incumbent Seoul government since it was
inaugurated a year ago.
Lee on Monday said the government would not make the same mistake as its
predecessors by rushing into inter-Korean dialogue without first questioning
Pyongyang's intentions.
"I believe it is better to start off with a little difficulty, but ensure things
are right to reach a positive outcome, instead of trying to figure what North
Korea wants while saying all is well that ends well," he said.
The president has repeatedly said North Korea must give as much as it takes.
Inter-Korean relations greatly affected the country's business environment during
the Cold War era, but the president insists this no longer the case as Seoul now
has more room to maneuver and more ways to engage Pyongyang.
"We are ready to work with North Korea. North Korea, too, must realize the South
is the only country in the entire world that is sincerely concerned for its
future and willing to help it," Lee said.
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak Monday said North Korea's recent threats do not pose any immediate danger and that his government is always ready to enter dialogue with the communist nation to resolve outstanding issues.
"I am very aware there are people who are concerned about the recent series of
North Korean threats. But my dear people, you do not need to worry too much," the
president said in his bi-weekly radio address.
"The government is ready to sit down with North Korea at any time and resolve
every issue," he added.
North Korea last month said it will no longer honor past accords reached between
the two Koreas, including a 1991 agreement in which Pyongyang recognized the
U.N.-drawn Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the Yellow Sea. The de facto border on
the west coast, however, has since been the site of two deadly naval clashes in
1999 and 2002.
Appearing in a nationally televised program late last month, the South Korean
president said his administration would soon hold dialogue with North Korea,
which has refused to talk to the incumbent Seoul government since it was
inaugurated a year ago.
Lee on Monday said the government would not make the same mistake as its
predecessors by rushing into inter-Korean dialogue without first questioning
Pyongyang's intentions.
"I believe it is better to start off with a little difficulty, but ensure things
are right to reach a positive outcome, instead of trying to figure what North
Korea wants while saying all is well that ends well," he said.
The president has repeatedly said North Korea must give as much as it takes.
Inter-Korean relations greatly affected the country's business environment during
the Cold War era, but the president insists this no longer the case as Seoul now
has more room to maneuver and more ways to engage Pyongyang.
"We are ready to work with North Korea. North Korea, too, must realize the South
is the only country in the entire world that is sincerely concerned for its
future and willing to help it," Lee said.
